Prima Vista will debut a new foundation for fall on 14 October in Japan. The new Creamy Compact Foundation promises a radiant finish when viewed from all angles and the ability to hide skin discolorations. It has SPF33 PA++ and will retail for 2940yen for the refill and 1050yen for the case.
I'm still not feeling any love for Prima Vista, which looks a bit too safe and boring for my tastes.
The Integrate website has been updated with the new fall collection and showgirl-themed TV CMs featuring new spokesmodel, 25-year-old actress Maki Yoko. The lyrics of the CM jingle translate roughly as:
"Integrate, integrate
Big black eyes
Integrate, integrate
Everything changes
Integrate, integrate
Sparkling lips
Everyone's Integrate!!"
Elegance will release its holiday coffret, Gem Noel (7350yen) on 5 November in Japan. There are two versions of the coffret, featuring different shades for the makeup items. The coffret includes a Gradation Gloss, Pure Color Mascara, Cool Eye Color in a chic gold pouch.
Elegance is also launching a new color and base makeup collection on 18 October. All the items are permanent.
1. Glow Rouge: 3 new shades in #15 Drop Orange, #16 Fruity Red and #17 Pink Sorbet (3990yen)
2. Nail Bijoux: 4 new shades in #12 Sparkling Muscat, #13 Shiny Peach, #14 Strawberry Bright and #15 Brilliant Cassis (1575yen)
3. Visualize Line: 2 new shades in #6 Darjeeling Emerald and #7 Twinkle Wine (3150yen)
4. Brilliance Foundation: Creamy compact foundation with an aldehyde woody floral fragrance and SPF28, PA++ in 6 shades(6825yen for refill, 1575yen for case)
5. Eminence Fixer: Color control base in 3 shades with SPF20 and PA++ (5250yen, 30ml)
6. MakeMist: rosewater-based face mist with an aquatic sweet rose aroma (2625yen, 50ml)
7. Hydro Lip: lip balm (3150yen)
Paul & Joe's Inspiree collection was finally launched in Singapore at Isetan Scotts yesterday and I couldn't resist picking up most of the collection, especially since there was some great GWPs being offered at the same time. With purchase of $130, you can get a makeup pouch with 5 skincare samples and a Protective Dual Powder Foundation UV sample in #30. The SA also threw in a couple of foundation primer samples.
I really liked the prints in this collection (which are much prettier than some of the prints in recent collections like the black and orange cat print or the red print with weird faces) so I was looking very much forward to getting the tote bag and makeup pouch. I don't really care that much for Paul & Joe skincare and already have a ton of deluxe samples from my previous purchases but I just had to have the tote bag and pouch, which I know I will be using a lot!
After seeing the new Collection Sparkles face colors and lipsticks in the Japanese beauty magazines, I knew that I wanted to get most of them. When I finally saw them in person, they did not disappoint. Instead of trying to be trendy or edgy with the latest colours in fashion, Paul & Joe always goes for more classically feminine, soft pretty shades and this collection was no exception. The lipsticks were sheer and very natural when applied. For example, although #58 Muse looks like a muddy dark brown in the tube, when applied it is actually more of a slightly pinky-toned brown that would be suitable for most skintones. At S$39 each, the lipsticks are pricier than many other brands but the unique prints make them worth every penny. The only drawback is that being made of cardboard, I would recommend using a lipstick case to tote these around to prevent them from being crushed or stained.
The small makeup pouch that comes with purchases of S$130. I like the soft, cushiony material!
The matching tote bag that comes with purchases of S$160. This can be folded up into a much smaller size that is great for stashing away in your luggage on trips.
The Collection Sparkles!
I got all three of the new Facecolor Powder CS N in #58 Pressed Petals (purple & beige frost), #59 Atelier (dark brown and turquoise blue) and #60 Lullaby (pink brown & white pink). These retail for S$37 each. The shades are your typical Paul & Joe shades, very soft, feminine and pretty with a fine shimmer that is elegant and not over the top. They apply sheer at first but can be easily layered for greater intensity. These can be used either as eyeshadow or as highlighting powders on the cheeks.
Lipstick C #60 Inspiree: sheer natural pink
Lipstick C #58 Muse: sheer chic natural brown
Did you get anything from this collection? If so, do share your thoughts!
Gransenbon launched its fall collection, Sweet Dolce on 22 August in Japan. There are two new shades of it popular Gran Blush, #13 Cherry Fromage and #14 Maple Nuts (1890yen each). However, Gransenbon has also discontinued another two shades, #6 Doll Pink and #7 Blossom Pink. Unfortunately, those are the two shades that I failed to get during my trip to Tokyo in June... sigh.
I find it hard to fathom why Gransenbon discontinued the most unique and exceptional shades in its blush range, such as #8 Pretty Orange which was discontinued earlier this year. Nevertheless, it'll be interesting to check out #14 Maple Nuts which is the first brown-toned blush that Gransenbon has put out. I'm putting both #13 and #14 on my next shopping list!
The collection also includes Maxi Glossy Essence (1470yen) which is a pale pink, berry-scented lip balm, formulated with macadamia nut oil, hyaluronic acid and honey.
Here are the pics of Gransenbon's blushes, including several discontinued shades.
Check out the revamped Esprique Precious website featuring new spokesmodel Karen Elson. When Esprique Precious was first launched with doll-faced Gemma Ward as the spokesmodel, the brand was trying to appeal to the 'kawaii' (which means 'cute' or 'adorable') psyche of Japanese women. The brand's tagline was "Otona but kawaii" which means "adult but cute". It sounds like a contradiction but if you've ever spent some time in Japan and heard how some Japanese ladies speak in very high-pitched child-like voices, you'll understand.
But with 29-year-old Elson and the new white, rhinestone-studded packaging, it looks like Esprique Precious is making a brand image shift towards a more elegant, classy look that one would expect more from RMK or Lunasol. The four looks shown on Elson demonstrate what an incredible versatile model she is and I hope Esprique Precious will use her for a few more years to come. She's not the typical blonde blue-eyed babe but she has a sensual womanly allure that is quite different from Ward's fresh-faced babe-in-the-woods appeal.
Here's the list of products used for each look.
Happy Princess: Rouge Stylish (Liquid Type) PK826, Dress On Shiny Eyes C2, Dual Pencil Eyeliner RO6, True Black Mascara (Curl Long) BK001, Eyebrow Pencil BR300, Cheek Color PK800, Nail Color PK801
Pure Grace: Rouge Stylish (Liquid Type) BR323, Dress On Shiny Eyes C1, Dual Pencil Eyeliner BR30, True Black Mascara (Curl Long) BK001, Eyebrow Pencil BR300, Cheek Color OR200, Nail Color RO600
Brilliant Moon: Dress On Moist Rouge RO610, Dress On Shiny Eyes C3, Dual Pencil Eyeliner BL90, True Black Mascara (Curl Long) BK001, Eyebrow Pencil BR300, Cheek Color RO600, Nail Color PK804
Mode Crystal: Dress On Moist Rouge BE812, Dress On Shiny Eyes C4, Dual Pencil Eyeliner BK01, True Black Mascara (Curl Long) BK001, Eyebrow Pencil BR300, Cheek Color BR300, Nail Color BE303
I was at Bugis Junction today to attend the Laneige cocktail party/makeup demonstration for the launch of the new limited edition fall Snow Magic color collection. A Korean male MA demonstrated how to create two looks using the new palettes, one that was more natural and a more intense, smokey eye look that was perfect for a night out.
While his makeup skills were excellent, the palettes were just not special or unique enough when I swatched them to justify the price. I tend to prefer more colourful, dramatic shimmery shades and the Laneige palettes were more geared towards creating a light, natural look. I liked the nifty packaging but not the shades, which turned out to be quite boring. The blush and highlighter palette was S$62 while the eyeshadow trios were about S$47 each and the face powder quad was around S$52. The 20% discount did not apply to the new collection but only for Laneige's regular range so I eventually left without buying anything.
I also checked out the new fall collections from other brands and was much more impressed with the great quality and lovely colors from brands that don't usually catch my eye. One example is Yves Saint Laurent's new eyeshadow quints, Ombres 5 Lumieres. Under the counter lights, these were twinkling ever so merrily which made them incredibly difficult to resist! Several of the shades had a very pretty micro shimmer and the texture was excellent, silky, smooth and very pigmented. These cost a hefty S$89, which beats out Dior and Chanel. My favourite was #2 Indian Pink, just for the pinky plum shade in the top left corner of the palette. #3 Tawny is also excellent if you like shimmery browns and beiges.
If you're looking for shimmery pink blushes/highlighter, I would recommend Maquillage's new Design Cheek Colours, which come in a peachy variation (#79) and a sweet pink variation (#80). Of the two, I really liked #80 but since I already have a ton of shimmery pink blushes, I passed on it for now. The good news is that it is not limited edition. It retails for $63 (inclusive of the case) or $45 (for the blush refill alone).
I also checked out MAC's Starflash collection, which has been getting plenty of raves on Makeupalley but frankly, I felt it was just kind of meh. Compared to the usual quality of MAC's eyeshadows, it is definitely an improvement but there are many other brands that have been producing eyeshadows with that so-silky-it-feels-like-creamy-butter texture (e.g. Shu Uemura, Lunasol, Awake, Kesalan Patharan to name a few) for quite awhile now. It was about time that MAC caught up! MAC could also have done a much better job of putting more unique shades into this collection. The palette of shades just looked tired and uninspired. Even Clarins' Jazzy Colors quads looked more interesting!
The only collection that I'm still waiting for to launch in Singapore is Paul & Joe's Inspiree collection, which according to the SA should reach the counters next week. Can't wait! :-)
And it wasn't a totally fruitless day as I came home with this polka-dotted top and vest from River Island, plus a dress from GG<5.
